During my hospital stay several topics were discussed as possible scenarios or what they think may be happening. Nothing was definitive as of yet. We thought or understood originally that I was going to have a series of tests done, but it ended up only being a partial EEG which did not test for light sensitivity or hyperventilation which are areas of seizure provocation when I was younger. Although we are very happy that the EEG they ran did not show active seizures during my time of stay. I have been hesitant to share much information due to misunderstandings related to hidden medical issues. I am still am not allowed to drive and was told directly because of spells where I randomly go unconscious. They (we) discussed several possibilities of what is happening. One is because of my childhood and adolescent history of seizures my brain is creating corporal manifestation of seizures due to physical stress, environmental stress, or past trama. Like phantom seizures.

They said it is very common in Epileptics an those who have had a history of Epilepsy. Same as if the brain tells somebody they still have a limb or body part even if it is amputated, etc. They still feel the pain, etc. They did not discuss whether it was caused by the gene mutation or not ( which effects various neurological connections because of amino acid malfunction in delivering neurological messages)...I carry this gene mutation...or maybe not discussed probably because research and study is still being done in this area. They discussed periphial system disorder which is where the body has a physical issue that causes these spells that has not been addressed or found by their medical tests in a patient or has been located which provokes the same physical reactions that I have been experiencing. This could be producing or provoking these episodes with out an EEG stimulus.

Hence a Connective Tissue Disorder

(Was diagnosed with Lupus in Brazil but American doctors are reconsidering their diagnosis but confirmed a Connective Tissue Disorder diagnosis due to past Medical Records)

We also discussed sugar levels, but they were not pushing that as much as the other prementioned possibilities. We discussed autonomic dysfunction briefly but were not thorough on the topic.

This possibly meaning Potts Syndrome which does run in my family where the pulse our blood pressure is affected causing episodes of unconscious. So in a sense we are starting all over. I will say the doctors at Duke were more helpful then some doctors here in Tidewater Hampton Roads area (I am appreciative of what has been done)...It took us years to get help in the beginning due to many reasons. I want to say that I am very thankful for the medical staff in our area, but feel as if they just did not want to pursue farther than a specific point sometimes even if it caused a prolonged undiagnosed situations or they refused to go outside of their comfortable narrative when necessary.

Ok, so if I stand for long periods of time... I have been asked why I use a wheelchair. I am an ambulatory wheelchair user. I have prayed so much about how to address this...

Do I need a wheelchair constantly not always, but it necessary to understand that when I do... I feel very weak, my legs for some reason are going numb, or in public I sometimes go unconscious and it is easier to move me in a wheelchair than dead weight... etc. Also sometimes I randomly start to fall or get dizzy for no reason. So out of precaution I utilize the wheelchair otherwise I couldn't go in public as much. I also have another predominate medical problem that is agitated the more I walk sometimes, but praise God have found a medicine that is helping somewhat now. So hope this helps clarify or answer questions.

Sometimes I am reluctant to volunteer even if I truly desire or feel tugged at to help because the lack of surety I can give others regarding my ability or unsurety of fulfilling a need.

Thank you for your faithfulness in praying and your love in Christ.

Beth Hickok